Richard Birke

Richard Birke has extensive experience in the field of dispute resolution. Richard currently holds the position of SVP & Executive Director of the JAMS Institute, where they are responsible for the training and education of JAMS Mediators and Arbitrators, as well as providing dispute resolution services to clients. In this role, they also lead engagements with clients in Higher Ed, Health Systems, and other institution-sized entities. Prior to JAMS, Birke worked as a settlement program consultant, trainer, and mediator at the Oregon Court of Appeals for 20 years. Richard also served as the Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution and a Professor of Law at Willamette University from 1993 to 2015. Before that, they worked as a trainer and training designer at the California Court of Appeals from 1999 to 2007. Birke's earlier experience includes serving as the Associate Director on Conflict and Negotiation and Lecturer in Law at Stanford University, as well as working as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, MA.

Richard Birke completed their Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Russian Language and Literature/Theater from Tulane University between 1978 and 1982. Richard later pursued their Doctor of Law (JD) degree from New England Law | Boston from 1983 to 1986. Furthermore, Richard Birke obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Dispute Resolution from Harvard Law School from 1990 to 1991.